Nipple profile suppression device

ABSTRACT

A nipple profile suppression device includes a ring affixed to an outer layer. The ring fits around the nipple and holds the nipple profile suppression device in place. The outer layer lays against that portion of a woman&#39;s breast behind the nipple.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/818,712 filed Jul. 5, 2006.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an undergarment; more particularly, this invention relates to nipple covers usable in the breast cup of brassieres.

BACKGROUND

One of the most prevalent and recurring issues women deal with throughout their life is self esteem and confidence. For many women, a flawless appearance is an essential part of their self-esteem and confidence. Unfortunately, for many women one of the major detractors from their self-esteem and confidence is the profile of their nipples showing through form fitting clothing. Specifically, one of the most offensive or insulting ways a woman can detract from her appearance or the look of her clothes is if the profiles of her nipples create unsightly bumps which interrupt the smooth lines of form fitting sweaters, blouses or dresses. To hide these bumps, some women actually walk around with their arms always crossed in front of their chest to cover the unsightly look of unwanted nipple profiles in their clothing. In an office environment, other women resort to never leaving their office space without picking up a notebook, a stack of papers, or a file folder to be held close to their chest to hide the unsightly look of a nipple profile in their clothing.

One solution to the problem of a nipple profile being visible through clothing is to wear multiple layers of clothing to include bulky sweaters and jackets. While multiple layers of clothing may be satisfactory in some situations, this solution effectively denies women the opportunity to select clothing designed for wear in the spring/summer season or clothing designed for wear in warmer climates. Other women wear heavily padded bras. Such heavily padded bras often increase or distort the chest size of these women and limit the range of clothing available for wear.

Yet another prior art solution is a one time use nipple cover. Such one time use nipple covers on today's market are limited in effectiveness because they only provide temporary nipple profile suppression and are generally uncomfortable. Further problems with currently available one time use nipple covers are caused from slippage of the one time use nipple cover away from the nipple due to an inadequate design or failure of the prior art nipple cover to adhere to the skin surrounding the nipple. Many of these prior art one time use nipple covers are uncomfortable, heavy, expensive and do not resolve the problem of breaking the smooth lines of form fitting clothing. Specifically, the bulk of these prior art one time use nipple covers is often clearly visible through a wearer's bra and clothing.

Another problem with prior art nipple covers results from the use of an adhesive to hold the nipple cover in place. Once the adhesive portion of a nipple cover is used the adhesive typically will not re-stick to the skin in the same manner as when the adhesive was first applied. Adhesive attached nipple covers present a particularly difficult problem for those women who regularly apply a moisturizing lotion to their entire bodies on a daily basis. This is because skin adhesives generally do not adhere to skin after a moisturizing lotion has been applied.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a reliable nipple profile suppression device that is simple in construction, easy to wear, reusable, washable, and inexpensive.

SUMMARY

The nipple profile suppression device of the present invention is reliable, simple in construction, easy to wear, reusable, washable, and inexpensive. Further, the nipple profile suppression device of the present invention enhances the self-esteem and confidence of women by suppressing unwanted nipple profile protrusion in form fitting clothes without limiting brassiere and wardrobe selection.

The nipple profile suppression device of the present invention addresses all of these concerns by providing a comfortable space for the nipple within a comfortable silicone ring thereby assuring that the disclosed nipple profile suppression device stays firmly in place on a woman's breast. The added benefit of the thin layer of fabric used with the silicone ring portion of the disclosed nipple profile suppression device renders both the nipple, and the nipple profile suppression device itself, invisible through bras and clothing. The design and construction of the nipple profile suppression device provides the smooth look intended by the designer of form fitting clothing without regard to the type of brassiere or form fitting clothing worn by a woman.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A better understanding of the nipple profile suppression device of the present invention may be had by reference to the drawing figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, in partial section, of the nipple profile suppression device mounted on a breast;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the side of the nipple profile suppression device which contacts the breast;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational of the nipple profile suppression device; and;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, in a partial section, of an alternate embodiment of the nipple profile suppression device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As may be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the nipple profile suppression device 10 of the present invention provides a new alternative in the field of female clothing by providing discreet suppression of the profile of a female nipple 100 often seen in form fitting clothing. The nipple profile suppression device 10 is designed to eliminate unwanted attention resulting from the unsightly break in the lines of form fitting clothing because of the protrusion of the profile of a nipple 100 through a woman's brassiere. The nipple profile suppression device 10 provides a reliable, cost effective, long lasting, washable, reusable improvement over prior art nipple profile suppression devices currently available. The unique design of the disclosed nipple profile suppression device 10 allows it to stay in place without the application of an adhesive.

The disclosed nipple profile suppression device 10 provides a new concept in nipple profile suppression, providing a comfortable fit for all nipple sizes while remaining virtually unseen even under the thinnest bra. The ring 12 attached to the inner surface 16 of the nipple profile suppression device 10 is a thin ring, made of silicone in the preferred embodiment, to both provide support and light frictional with the sides of the nipple 100. The outside layer of fabric 14 which lays on that portion of the breast is behind the nipple 100 is thin enough to allow the system to remain virtually invisible while still providing nipple profile suppression. The nipple profile suppression device 10 is preferably sold in a lace bag for storage, as well as allowing for gentle hand washing and air-drying.

The disclosed nipple profile suppression device 10 of the present invention is designed to get rid of unwanted attention that results from unwanted nipple profile exposure. The nipple profile suppression device 10 is also designed to be reusable, reliable, cost effective, long lasting, and washable. If a bra is sized properly, the nipple profile suppression device 10 will stay in place without adhesive. The ring 18 is attached to the inner surface 16 of the nipple profile suppression device 10 by threads 18 which allows the nipple 100 to naturally change size but not feel constrained. The nipple profile suppression device 10 is designed to most sizes of nipples 100 because of the flexibility of the ring 18.

Outside layer 18 includes three fabric layers in the preferred embodiment. The layers of fabric 20, 22 and 24 are designed sufficiently thin so that the various shapes of the perimeter of nipple profile suppression device 10 shown in the drawing figures becomes invisible.

Top layer 20 is made of a combination of 85% Antron Nylon and 15% Lycra. Second layer 22 is made from Tricot Bonded foam. Third layer 24 is also made from a combination of 85% Antron Nylon and 15% Lycra. These fabrics were chosen for the preferred embodiment to both cover the nipple ring for more support, comfort and to suppress the nipple profile for giving smooth lines to form fitting clothing.

The soft clear silicon ring 18 may be covered in a satin fabric if desired. The ring 18 is an essential part of the disclosed nipple profile suppression device 10. Alternatively, the entire ring 18 can be made of soft satin fabric, molded plastic or molded rubber having the same general characteristics as a soft clear silicon ring. It was discovered that by using the ring 18 as a foundation for the construction of the nipple profile suppression device 10, the wearer experiences a feeling of both comfort and freedom. It is the ring 18 around the nipple 100 which keeps everything balanced. This ring can be made thick or thin depending on the size of a woman's nipple when enlarged.

In the alternative embodiment 110 shown in FIG. 4, it has been found that a soft internal thread 102 may be placed within the ring 112. The nipple profile suppression device 110 is attached to the sides of a nipple by simply giving it a quarter-turn when putting it in place. Also shown in the alternate embodiment is a thin layer of fabric 120 which may be used to cover the ring 112 if a wearer has a skin allergy to silicon or particularly sensitive nipples. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the disclosed nipple profile suppression device may be molded as a single piece from a soft, flexible material such as silicon.

The nipple profile suppression device 10 of the present invention may be worn with all types of form fitting clothing from swimsuits to evening wear. The colors can be varied to match the colors of brassieres. The outer perimeter of the nipple profile suppression device can be almost any shape including circular, petal shaped or irregular. Alternatively, the ring 12 can be made in multiple sizes to accommodate women with either very large nipples or very small nipples. However, it has been found during testing of the nipple profile suppression device of the present invention that a single size ring seems to accommodate the nipples of a surprisingly large number of women.

While the present invention has been disclosed according to its preferred and alternate embodiment, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that numerous other embodiments have been enabled by the foregoing disclosure. Such other embodiments shall be included within the scope and meaning of the appended claims. 

1. A nipple profile suppression device for wearing with a brassiere having breast cups, said nipple profile suppression device comprising: a section of fabric constructed and arranged to fit within the front portion of the breast cup of a brassiere; a ring affixed to the underside of said section of fabric, said ring constructed and arranged to surround and engage the sides of a woman's nipple at the end of a breast; and whereby the combination of said ring and said sections of fabric will suppress the nipple profile so that the said nipple profile will not be visible from the exterior of the brassiere or through clothing worn over the brassiere.
 2. The nipple profile suppression device as defined in claim 1 wherein said ring contains an internal thread to facilitate rotatable engagement with a nipple.
 3. The nipple profile suppression device as defined in claim 1 wherein the underside of said section of fabric and said ring is covered with a thin layer of cloth.
 4. A woman's brassiere comprising: two cup portions constructed and arranged to support a woman's breast; means for positioning said two cup portions on a woman's body; a nipple profile suppression device sized to fit in the front portion of each of said two cup portions; said nipple profile suppression device including: a ring sized to fit around the nipple at the end of a woman's breast; an outer layer affixed to said ring to lay on that portion of a woman's breast behind the nipple. 